Authorities have recovered the bodies of two hikers who went missing in separate incidents in Whatcom County in June, bringing weeks of search efforts in the Mount Baker region to a close.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 34-year-old Gursimran Singh of British Columbia was recovered July 13 in the Twin Sisters Range.
Two days earlier, rescue crews recovered 55-year-old Steven Dorsett near the Canyon Creek Trailhead after he failed to return from a backpacking trip.
Hiker found in the Twin Sisters Range
Singh, also known as Gursimran Randhawa, was expected to return to Canada by June 29.
His last known location was near South Twin, one of the Twin Sisters’ two prominent olivine peaks, which rise to just over 7,000 feet west of Mount Baker.
According to the sheriff’s office, an experienced hiker reported possible human remains on the north face of South Twin on Sunday.
The Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team recovered Singh the following day after an extensive search involving multiple rescue organizations.
Hiker found near Canyon Creek Trailhead
On July 10, the body of Dorsett was recovered after he was reported overdue from a backpacking trip that began June 24 at the Canyon Creek Trailhead near Crater Mountain.
The trailhead, located east of Glacier in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, provides access to remote backcountry routes popular with experienced hikers and backpackers.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office thanked the volunteers, aviation crews and partner agencies that assisted in both searches.
Authorities have not released the causes of death for either hiker.
Written by Ginnie Sandoval, a news and travel writer for Pacific Northwest Crossing. Sandoval covers travel tips, news, destinations, places to eat, and hidden gems across the Pacific Northwest. She can be reached at pnwcrossing@ramsanmedia.com.